Roma debutant Tammy Abraham was the main character when Jose Mourinho secured a victory when he returned to Serie A on Sunday night.
The former Chelsea striker was at the heart of almost everything good Roma did when they saw Fiorentina 3-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, and he had only one goal to make it a perfect start to life in the Italian capital.
Abraham celebrated his first assist as a goal / MB Media / Getty Images
After coming from the Blues in a £ 34m deal last week, Abraham was clearly desperate for a direct impact, and his first major contribution came in just 17 minutes. taken by Viola goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski, which resulted in a straight red card.
Shortly afterwards, he would have an assist and carry the ball over the box before rolling it into Henrik Mikhitaryan to turn and foot in the bottom corner – a strike was confirmed after a VAR check of offside that triggered a passionate celebration of the new signing.
Roma were reduced to ten men themselves shortly after half-time and conceded an equalizer through Premier League goal Nikola Milenkovic on the hour mark. Abraham came a few inches from restoring the lead immediately, but saw his nod come from the crossbar up close – his best goal chance of the night.
But just minutes later, smarter work from the Englishman would produce the winner, as he got stuck on a Mikhitaryan through the ball and delivered the perfect cut for former Fiorentina midfielder Jordan Veretout to pump home.
Tammy Abraham gets standing ovations after two assists on his Serie A debut?
AS Roma fans already love him ❤️ pic.twitter.com/4QqVtyrDmR
– ?? Watch Serie A on BT Sport Football ?? (@btsportfootball) August 22, 2021
Roma’s players had to endure another nervous wait for a VAR check for offside, but Abraham had timed his run to perfection and the goal stood.
After doing enough to serve the man of the match, the new arrival was taken back to a standing ovation with 20 minutes left. His replacement Eldor Shomurodov would pick up his own fine assist, shooting the ball into Veretout for the Frenchman to make his second seal three points 11 minutes from time.
A perfect start in Serie A for Mourinho and his new striker.
